D&D London ditches service charges in its London restaurants

D&D London has announced today that its restaurants in London will no longer be adding a 12.5% discretionary service charge on its customer bills, with the exception of group and event bookings.

The news comes as the hospitality industry gears up for a change in the tipping laws. From the 1st October, businesses will no longer be able to use tips to top up the minimum wage payments made to staff.

In a statement D&D London said: "Customers will now be free to leave whatever tip they consider appropriate."

D&D London confirmed that the tips would be pooled and held for the benefit of the staff. The company added that its restaurants has always paid staff significantly in excess of National Minimum Wage and that it will be fully compliant with the new legislation requiring all staff to be paid at least National Minimum Wage excluding tips.

Des Gunewardena, chairman & CEO of D&D London commented: "We believe, particularly in the current economic environment, that it is the right thing to do to allow our customers to vary the value of tips in line with how well they feel that they have been looked after in our restaurants. This is common practice, for example, in New York and I believe will result in improved service and more satisfied customers."

Words: Clare Riley

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